What was the Paris to Brugge special that you mentioned under Gracejoan's thread? It's been some years since I've zipped up to Brugge, from Paris, and would like to this coming spring. Thanks in advance. Happy Travels!

I'm not MAP, but we did this trip just last month.

There is one direct Thalys train daily from Paris to Bruges, which departs Gare du Nord at 6:30pm and gets in at 9pm. No change of trains needed. I bought our tickets on voyages-sncf.com 3 months ahead of time and got the discounted "mini" fare for just €25 per person in 2nd class.

Otherwise, you can book other Thalys trains from Paris to Brussels, then change for Bruges. You can buy what they ABS ticket which stands for Any Belgium Station. So even though the Thalys ends in Brussels, you can still ride to Bruges using the ABS ticket without buying an additional Brussels-Bruges ticket.

Just FYI, a separate ticket from Brussels to Bruges costs €13,30 one way in 2nd class.

Thanks a lot! Happy Travels!

Since the train arrives so late, then that will require an overnight stay in a hotel which can be VERY expensive in Belgium.

My Flemish friends no longer live in Brugge. They moved back to their childhood home, over a decade ago. They live in Tielt which I've been to several times. SO, I might have to get a hotel in Brugge if they're busy when I plan to go or of I arrive during the work week when they're working. Can you recommend a medium-priced hotel?

It might be cheaper to just do it as a day trip out of Paris like I did when I took the Thalys up to Brussels. Happy Travels!

correction,"if", not "of". My typing is getiing worse. Smiles. Happy Travels!

There are plenty of Thalys trains during the day that run Paris-Brussels. All you need to do is get off at Brussels-Midi and take the next train to Bruges. It should still take approx 2.5 hrs total.

We picked that direct train because it fit well with our schedule - we were able to get a full day of sightseeing in Paris before we took that train.

We stayed at Absoluute Verhulst B&B. Very delightful hosts.
http://www.b-bverhulst.com

Thanks for the info. And I might just take the non-stop Thalys to Brussels as I've done before and then transfer to the train to Brugge. It just sounded great to have a non-stop train straight to Brugge and save time. Happy Travels!

I don't think the direct Paris-Bruges Thalys train saves any time. Our train sat at the Brussels-Midi station for at least 20 minutes. The train from Paris to Brussels actually is 2 trains in 1 - and it separates into 2 trains at the Midi station. One half goes to Ghent/Bruges/Ostend, the other half goes to the Netherlands.

But it was nice for us NOT to have to transfer in Brussels, plus the train time worked out perfect for us.